Chapter 43: The Nervous System Flashcards
Central Nervous System
information processing system (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous system
PNS
includes the afferent division, and efferent division (which splits into somatic and autonomic nervous systems)
Afferent division
Part of PNS
transmits sensory info; can determine significance of info after processing
Example: seeing colors, sensing motion in hair
Efferent division
Part of PNS
transmits motor info
includes the somatic and autonomic (parasympathetic and sympathetic) systems
Somatic nervous system
made up of motor and sensory neurons
includes voluntary movement and control
Autonomic nervous system
includes involuntary movement (adrenaline, dilated pupils, and heart racing)
parasympathetic and sympathetic systems
Parasympathetic
rest and digest response
slow heart rate, constrict pupils, stimulate salivation, stomach and intestine activity, contract bladder, inhibit release of glucose from liver
Sympathetic
fight or flight response
heart racing, pupils dilated, relax bladder, inhibit stomach and intestine activity, secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine from adrenal glands
Neurons
fundamental parts of the brain and nervous system, recieve sensory inputs from external world
dendrites
convert chemical signals to electrical signals
Chemical, sound based, light etc
cell body
where dendrites are attached to; integrates incoming electrical signals(what do to with them); If significant enough, sends signal down axon
Axon
conducts electrical signals
Can be quite a long length!
three main types of neurons in nervous system
sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons
Sensory neurons
These are specialized neurons that are responsible for detecting sensory stimuli from the environment and transmitting this information to the central nervous system.
Sensory neurons have specialized receptor cells that respond to different types of stimuli such as light, sound, touch, temperature, and chemicals.
They are located in sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, and internal organs.
Interneurons
Interneurons are located in the spinal cord and brain and act as intermediaries between sensory neurons and motor neurons. They integrate and process the information received from sensory neurons and transmit signals to motor neurons or other interneurons. Interneurons are responsible for many of the complex functions of the nervous system such as perception, memory, learning, and decision-making.